Systems and Methods for Firearm Cartridge Management

ABSTRACT

An ignition inhibitor system within a firearm cartridge and a method of making same, comprising an internal framework with a top end and a bottom end as well as chambering and sub-sections for, a fluid chamber, a switch, a power source an actuator; said bottom end having port holes in proximity to a fluid chamber adjacent to the primer charge; a switch located within said internal framework that is activated by one of electromagnetic energy transmission devices, radio frequency identification transmission devices and other wireless signaling technologies and systems; as well as an actuator that causes the deployment of fluid in the fluid chamber sub-section, a power source, which are connected with electrically conductive materials and all of which are located within said internal framework; and fluid that is released upon the activation of said ignition inhibitor system described herein.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims benefit and priority under 35 U.S.C.Section 119(e) U.S. Provisional Patent Application, Ser. No. 61/767,392,filed Feb. 21, 2013, for SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR FIREARM CARTRIDGEMANAGEMENT, by Rick H. Barton, incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to firearm cartridges (alsoknown as firearm casings and bullet casings) and, more particularly, toan ignition inhibitor system comprised in one part of embodimentssubject to this application that are contained within the propellantchamber of a firearm cartridge that interacts with another partcomprised of wireless signaling technologies and systems, and relatedmethods and articles of manufacture of both.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As depicted in FIG. 1, a typical firearm cartridge is a sealed unitcomposed of a bullet [5], propellant, a primer charge [4] located in theproximity of the rim [3] opposite the bullet [5], and a cylindrical tubethat makes up the cartridge casing [1] of the firearm cartridge. Thecartridge casing [1] defines a hollow propellant chamber [2] between thebase of the bullet [5] and the top of the rim [3] wherein propellant iscontained. Defining the base of the firearm cartridge casing [1] is acartridge rim [3] that envelopes a primer charge [4] and there is acentrally located flash hole opening in the proximity of the primercharge [4] for sparks and hot gases to pass from the primer charge [4]into the propellant chamber [2].

When the trigger of a firearm is actuated, a device commonly referred toas a firing pin hits the primer charge [4] near the firearm cartridgerim [3] with enough impact force to cause the primer charge [4] toexplode and burn. Upon exploding and burning, hot gases and sparksignite the propellant in the propellant chamber [2]. The burningpropellant gases expand and pressurize the cartridge casing [1] therebytemporarily sealing the barrel of the firearm so the bullet [5] willhave optimal pressure behind it while travelling through the barrel ofthe firearm.

A common problem with firearm cartridges is that the cartridges (and thefirearms capable of operating them) are obtained by persons intent oncausing harm to others or otherwise use firearm cartridges illegallyincluding, but not limited to, operating firearms and firearm cartridgeson property defined by Federal, State and/or municipal legislation andpolicies as off limits to firearm use (also known and commonly referredto as “gun free zones”). Additionally, there are those in the public whodo not treat firearms and firearm cartridges with the proper respectneeded for the safety of themselves and the people around them. Instead,firearms and firearm cartridges are sometimes treated carelessly—as ifthey were toys or trinkets. The results of the afore-describedmishandling of firearms and firearm cartridges can be read in countlessnewspaper articles and police reports across the United States ofAmerica. There are reports of children bringing firearm cartridges toschool, school shootings in several states, murder-suicides andmassacres at public venues.

Presently, there exists an ongoing ideological competition betweenparties demanding the right to have firearms versus parties who demand“gun control” for the safety of family, friends and the public. When therespective ideologies of these parties are distilled to their basebeliefs, the contest is really between fundamental rights—the right tokeep and bear arms as afforded by the Second Amendment in the Bill ofRights of the United States Constitution, versus the recognized“inalienable rights” to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness asmentioned by the American people in their Declaration of Independence.

When confronted with the arguments from both competing parties, Federal,State and local governments are left with a no-win situation, sincerestricting the use of firearms encroaches upon a legal right affordedby the Constitution, yet taking no measure(s) has already demonstratedan encroachment upon Creator given inalienable rights. What results isfurther inaction to resolve the obvious problem of gun violence as wellas a continuation of newspaper headlines and police reports of gunviolence in public venues.

Aside from the efforts of legislation and written policies establishing“gun free zones”, there have been efforts to control the firearmsthemselves by altering the mechanical functioning and safety features ofa firearm without considering the firearm cartridge. For example, thereare safety devices in existence that hinder the ability of a firing pinto make contact with the primer charge [4] that, ultimately, lead to thefiring of a bullet. However, this technology has not been mass producedand has not curbed gun violence. There is also body of research anddevelopment focused on “smart” guns that rely on biometrics wherein onlythe rightful owner and authorized user of a firearm can operate itsuccessfully. However, this particular safety feature would require alawful operator to maintain, on their clothing or person, adornmentsthat keep the firearm enabled for use.

The problem with the afore-described approaches to controlling firearmsis that these safety features can be circumvented at the possessor'spleasure, since they have the firearm at their disposal as well as thetime and resources available to alter a firearm for legal and/or illegalpurposes. Further, one of the efforts referenced above require thelawful operator to maintain on their clothing or person adornments thatkeep the firearm enabled for use.

Rather than focus on the firearm, the present invention subject to thisapplication focuses on the firearm cartridge and how to inhibit it frombeing used successfully in those venues where firearms are or can beprohibited. Because the firearm cartridge is a sealed unit, it is moredifficult to alter than a firearm itself and, if not properly re-sealed,will not operate successfully. Because the embodiments are containedwithin the sealed unit of the firearm cartridge, operators would notneed to carry additional devices to allow for operation. Both of thesekey characteristics resolve the afore-described problems with inventionspresently in place. Additionally, rather than continue with theafore-described ideological competition, the invention that is thesubject of this application caters to both competing parties by revisingfirearm cartridges so that they do not operate correctly when they enteran area defined as a “gun free zone” according to already existinglegislation and/or policy. Further, the invention described herein wouldhave a deterrent effect on those interested in operating firearmsillegally in public and “gun free” venues.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there are provided systems,methods, and articles of manufacture for firearm cartridge management.In some embodiments, firearm cartridge management may comprise a firearmcartridge ignition inhibitor system located within a firearm cartridgecasing that is designed to release a fluid solution into the propellantchamber of a firearm cartridge casing that one of inhibits and severelydiminishes the deflagration of propellant. The firearm cartridgeinhibitor system may be designed to operate and activate in conjunctionwith one of radiofrequency identification systems and electromagnetictransmission systems and other wireless signaling technologies andsystems, hereinafter referred to as “wireless signaling technologies andsystems” so that a zone restricted from firearm use and commonlyreferred to as a “gun free zone” is defined by antenna arrayssubstantially similar to those anti-shoplifting devices used in retailand other store fronts throughout the world.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A complete understanding of the present invention may be obtained byreference to the accompanying drawings, when considered in conjunctionwith the subsequent, detailed description, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a diagram of a typical firearmcartridge, which is included herein for general orientation as to theconstruction and components of a firearm cartridge without the inventionand embodiments subject to this application;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a diagram of a firearm cartridgeaccording to some embodiments with an internal framework that is thesubject of this patent application. This embodiment may fit into largersize/caliber firearm cartridges and shotgun “shells”;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a diagram of a firearm cartridgeaccording to some embodiments with an alternative internal frameworkarrangement that is the subject of this patent application. Thisembodiment may fit into smaller size/caliber firearm cartridges;

FIG. 4 is an is a cross-sectional perspective view of a diagram of afirearm cartridge management system using the internal frameworkdepicted in FIG. 2 according to some embodiments with the switch, powersource and actuator elements included and depicting the fluid chamber;

FIG. 5 is an is a cross-sectional view of a diagram of a firearmcartridge management system using the internal framework depicted inFIG. 3 according to some embodiments with the switch, power source andactuator elements included and depicting the fluid chamber;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional perspective view of a diagram of a firearmcartridge management system like that which is shown in FIG. 5,according to some embodiments with the switch, power source and actuatorelements included and depicting the fluid chamber; and

FIG. 7 is an exemplary diagram view of an electric circuit of a firearmcartridge management system according to some embodiments in anun-activated state (FIG. 7A—Inactive) and same embodiments in anactivated state (FIG. 7B—Activated) that incorporates embodiments shownin FIG. 4 and FIG. 5 when the cartridge management system crosses anantenna array emitting signals to activate the embodiments.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In accordance with the present invention, the Applicant has developedand provides systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for firearmcartridge management. In some embodiments, firearm cartridge managementmay comprise a firearm cartridge ignition inhibitor system located, forexample, within the framework of a firearm cartridge. The firearmcartridge ignition inhibitor system may be designed to operate inconjunction with one of radiofrequency identification systems andelectromagnetic transmission systems and wireless signaling technologiessystems, hereinafter “wireless signaling technologies and systems”.

In some embodiments, firearm cartridge management may comprise anantenna array [12] operated by one of said wireless signalingtechnologies and systems to define a zone wherein firearms and firearmcartridges are prohibited and restricted from use. The said antennaarray [12], comprised of embodiments commonly used in anti-shopliftingand other “Electronic Article Surveillance” and also known as “EAS”,when situated at the entrance and exit points of a building structure,such as a school, church, and government building, movie theatre,hospital, etc., passively define an area wherein firearms are restrictedand, therefore, will not operate successfully as a result of the firearmcartridge inhibitor system and may cause an alarm to sound notifyingbuilding personnel due to the embodiments hereinafter described withinthis application.

In some embodiments, firearm cartridge management may comprise a firearmcartridge inhibitor system designed, for example, to be contained withina firearm cartridge casing [1] wherein the components are self-containedwithin the propellant chamber [2] in an insertable internal frameworkand housing [6] with adequate sub-sections for electrical componentshereinafter described as well as sub-section(s) for a fluid chamber [7]wherein a fluid solution [11] hereinafter defined is contained untilreleased and deployed by function of the electrical componentembodiments hereinafter described. Said internal framework and housing[6] could be affixed to the interior walls of the firearm cartridgecasing [1] in a manner that separates the firearm cartridge inhibitorsystem components from the primer [4], bullet [5] and propellant. Thesaid framework and housing [6] could be constructed of one of a rigidmetallic material and a rigid polymer material fashioned in acylindrical manner, as depicted in FIG. 2, so as to surround said primercharge [4] in the region of the propellant chamber [2] immediatelyadjacent to the flash hole and primer charge [4] so that the inclusionof embodiments making up the firearm cartridge inhibitor system ashereinafter described while also allowing for the maximum amount ofpropellant needed to successfully expel a bullet [5] from a firearm.Said framework and housing [6] could be constructed in a more linearmanner, as depicted in FIG. 3, so as to allow for embodiments making upthe firearm cartridge inhibitor system as hereinafter described whilealso minimizing the volume taken away from the propellant chamber [2].The arrangement and attachment of the said framework and casing [6]could allow for an adequate occurrence of sparks and hot gases to passthrough the flash hole into the propellant chamber [2].

Contained within the afore-described subsections of said internalframework and housing [6] could be a switch [8] connected byelectrically conductive materials to a hereinafter described powersource [9] and a hereinafter described actuator [10]. The said switch[8] could interact and interface with one of radiofrequencyidentification systems and electromagnetic transmission systems andwireless signaling technologies and systems, hereinafter “wirelesssignaling technologies and systems”, arranged into, as an example, saidantenna array [12]. When said switch [8] and the firearm cartridge thatpossesses said switch [8] one of approaches and crosses the zone andarea as described above, the switch [8] would react in a manner thatcauses the actuator [10] to deploy and release a fluid solution [11]from the fluid chamber [7] into said propellant chamber [2] therebycausing the inhibition of propellant deflagration.

Contained within the afore-described subsections of said internalframework and housing [6] could be a actuator [10] connected byelectrically conductive materials to a hereinafter described powersource [9] and said switch [10] that, for example, my operate byfunction of one of piezoelectric effect and converse piezoelectriceffect, arranged in a manner that it is connected to the said switch anda power source and can also interact with said fluid solution [11] insaid fluid chamber [7] that causes one of the release of a fluidsolution [11] and the deployment of a fluid solution [11] to access thepropellant chamber [2] adjacent to the primer charge [4] in theproximity of the flash hole of the firearm cartridge via said port holesand passages from said fluid chamber [7] sub-section of the saidinternal framework [6].

Contained within the afore-described subsections of said internalframework and housing [6] could be a power source [9] connected byelectrically conductive materials to said switch [8] and said actuator[10]. Said power source [9] could provide adequate low voltageelectrical power to said actuator [10] and remain sizable so as to fitwithin said internal framework and housing [6].

Among the sub-sections of said internal framework and housing [6] isdefined a fluid chamber [7] providing space for a hereinafter describedfluid solution [11]. Said fluid chamber [7] could be constructed in acircular manner so as to surround the primer charge [4] while allowingspace for sparks and hot gasses to pass from said primer charge [4]through the afore-described flash hole into said propellant chamber [2].Said fluid chamber [7] could include as part of its construction portholes and passages that allow a hereinafter defined fluid solution [11]to be released and deployed into the propellant chamber [2] near theprimer charge [4] and afore-described flash hole.

Upon activation of the actuator [10] by function of the switch [8]interacting with said antenna array [12] and being powered by said powersource [9], said actuator [10] could one of release and deploy ahereinafter defined fluid solution [11] via the afore-described portholes and passages from said fluid chamber [7] into the propellantchamber [2] adjacent to the primer charge [4] and flash hole, therebyinhibiting the sparks and hot gases from the primer charge [4] fromcausing deflagration of propellant within said propellant chamber [2].

Contained within the said fluid chamber [7] could be, for example, afluid solution [11] in one of a free flowing form and enveloped in acapsule released and deployed by function of said actuator [10]. Saidfluid solution [11] could have the characteristics that can one and anyplurality of impeding the primer charge [4] and saturate the propellantin the proximity of the flash hole and reducing the temperature of anydeflagration resulting from sparks and hot gasses passing from saidprimer charge [4] through the afore-described flash hole into saidpropellant chamber [2].

The afore-described and said embodiments—a switch [8]; an actuator [10];a power source [9]; a fluid chamber [7]; a fluid solution [11]; whensituated within said internal framework and housing [6] and affixed intothe propellant chamber [2] of a firearm cartridge in proximity of theprimer charge [4] as opposed to proximity to said bullet [5]; couldinteract with said antenna array [12] in a manner such that, upon theswitch [8] interacting with said antenna array [12], said fluid solution[11] would deploy and be released from said fluid chamber [7] byfunction of said actuator [10] as powered by said power source [9] sothat said fluid solution [11] could one of inhibit the sparks and hotgases and gases from being caused by the primer charge [4] and inhibitsparks and hot gases from causing deflagration of propellant within saidpropellant chamber [2].

The afore-described and said embodiments—a switch [8]; and a powersource [9]; when situated within said internal framework and housing [6]and affixed into the propellant chamber [2] of a firearm cartridge inproximity of the primer charge [4] as opposed to proximity to saidbullet [5]; could interact with said antenna array [12] in a manner suchthat, upon the switch [8] interacting with said antenna array [12],could interface with any plurality of wireless signaling technologiesand systems to alert building managers and law enforcement that firearmcartridges are within the area defined by said antenna array(s) [12] forfurther investigation and action.

In some embodiments, said internal framework and housing [6] can beconstructed in a manner so that it, and the afore-described embodimentscontained within it except for the antenna array [12], can be insertedby mass manufacturers and personal re-loader hobbyists.

In another embodiment, the said power source [9], switch [8] and anactuator [10] can be combined into an integrated circuit occupying asmaller volume while remaining able to cause one of the release of fluidand the opening of passage ways for fluid to access the primer charge[4] and the propellant in the proximity of the flash hole of the firearmcartridge.

In the event that a firearm cartridge containing the afore-describedembodiments of the ignition inhibitor system one of approaches andcrosses into a zone defined by said antenna array [12], the firearmcartridge could be rendered inert and significantly diminished infunctionality.

Since other modifications and changes varied to fit particular operatingrequirements and environments will be apparent to those skilled in theart, the invention is not considered limited to the example chosen forpurposes of disclosure, and covers all changes and modifications whichdo not constitute departures from the true spirit and scope of thisinvention.

The present disclosure provides, to one of ordinary skill in the art, anenabling description of several embodiments and inventions. Some ofthese embodiments and inventions may not be claimed in the presentapplication, but may nevertheless be claimed in one or more continuingapplications that claim the benefit of priority of the presentapplication. The Applicant intends to file additional applications topursue patents for subject matter that has been disclosed and enabledbut not claimed in the present application.

Having thus described the invention, what is desired to be protected byLetters Patent is presented in the subsequently

What is claimed is: 1) A means of managing firearm cartridgescomprising: a primer deactivation device within the propellant chamberof firearms cartridges coupled to deactivate the primer; and anelectronic wireless signaling technologies and systems activation deviceoperable to cause the primer deactivation device to deactivate theprimer in the case that a firearm cartridge is located within arestricted area. 2) A method, comprising: determining, by one ofradiofrequency identification components and electromagnetictransmission components and wireless signaling technologies and systemselectrical components, that a zone restricting the use of firearms hasbeen entered; and disabling, as a result of the determining, at leastone of the primer charge and the propellant of a firearm cartridge. 3)An ignition inhibitor system contained within a firearm cartridge,comprising: an internal framework and housing with subsections forelectrical components and fluid chambering and with a top end and abottom end, said bottom end having port holes and passages adjacent tosaid fluid chambering that are also adjacent to the primer charge andflash hole when affixed within the firearm cartridge in proximity to therim; a switch located within said internal framework and housing that isactivated by one of a radiofrequency identification technology andelectromagnetic energy transmission technology and wireless signalingtechnologies and systems devised to define a zone restricted fromfirearms operation; an actuator located within said internal frameworkand housing; an electrical power source located within said internalframework and housing; and a fluid solution located within said internalframework and housing adjacent to said port holes and passages.